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Gold prices climbed on Monday, supported by a resurgence in safe-haven demand after ratings agency Moody’s downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating, triggering risk aversion across global markets. Mixed Chinese economic data added to market caution, bolstering bullion’s appeal further.
As of 01:51 ET (05:51 GMT), spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,217.49 an ounce, while gold futures for June delivery gained 1% to $3,220.17 per ounce, recouping a portion of last week’s losses.
Moody’s Downgrade Spurs Gold Demand, Weighs on Dollar
Moody’s decision to cut the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 cited long-standing concerns over the country’s ballooning debt and fiscal trajectory. The downgrade renewed fears over the sustainability of the $36 trillion U.S. debt load, especially as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax cut proposal inches closer to a House vote this week.
The move sparked a jump in Treasury yields and a pullback in the dollar, both of which typically benefit non-yielding assets like gold. Analysts noted that the downgrade reignited longer-term concerns over the U.S. fiscal outlook, offsetting some of the optimism stemming from the recent de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war.
Other Precious Metals Edge Higher
Silver and platinum tracked gold’s rise, with silver futures up 0.5% at $32.530 per ounce, and platinum futures ticking up 0.1% to $991.50. Still, broader gains remained modest amid uncertainty over global growth momentum.
Copper Steady After Mixed China Data
Copper prices held firm on Monday after top importer China posted mixed April economic readings.
- London Metal Exchange copper rose 0.2% to $9,471.10 a ton.
- U.S. copper futures were flat at $4.5955 a pound.
While industrial production exceeded expectations, buoyed by steady factory output, retail sales and fixed asset investment missed forecasts, reflecting lingering consumer and business uncertainty amid a high-stakes trade environment.
Investors are now eyeing whether the May tariff truce between Washington and Beijing will provide enough stimulus to revive China’s domestic demand in the months ahead.
Gold’s rally underscores the fragility in market sentiment as investors weigh fiscal risks in the U.S. against fragile recovery signals from China. With key economic decisions and data on the horizon, bullion may continue to see support from lingering macroeconomic uncertainty.
